Guidelines for the Development of a Cooperative Biosecurity Plan for Grazing Livestock

Transcription

1 Guidelines fr the Develpment f a Cperative Bisecurity Plan fr Grazing Livestck July 2016

2 AIM Prvide guidelines fr prducer grups t set up and maintain a cperative bisecurity plan (CBP) fr an endemic disease in grazing livestck. The cperative may be based n a regin r an industry grup such as lcal dairy prducers r a stud breed sciety. These Guidelines are nt intended t be prescriptive but nly t utline appraches and elements that may be cnsidered as determined necessary by a grup prpsing t establish a CBP. BACKGROUND A CBP is a set f agreed actins that a grup f prducers with cmmn gals implement t prevent the incursin f disease(s) int herds r flcks within the grup and t manage disease if it ccurs. It may utline measures including (but nt limited t) cnditins n animal mvements int the area, vaccine plicy and respnse t disease detectin. The use f a prperty bisecurity plan fr each prperty within the regin is imprtant t underpin a CBP. The Natinal Farm Bisecurity Reference Manual fr Grazing Livestck Prductin is available at It is available as a reference dcument t assist in develping a livestck prperty bisecurity plan. Each prductin system culd have a different set f bisecurity threats, challenges and perating envirnments, which can be addressed utilising the principles and appraches identified in the reference manual. GUIDELINES FOR A COOPERATIVE BIOSECURITY PLAN A CBP that cvers ne r mre endemic diseases culd include the fllwing cmpnents (nte, nt all f these cmpnents will be relevant fr all grups, depending n the species and diseases f interest). Essential elements: a) Demnstrable prducer cmmitment frm all prducers within the cperative bisecurity grup t prtect the disease status f the regin r grup, including agreed aims and bjectives f the grup and disease(s) cvered by the CBP. b) All members f the CBP have a prperty bisecurity plan in place. Optinal elements: c) mnitring f stck and suspect cases are investigated and reprted. d) Technical infrmatin and peratinal aspects f the CBP are actively cmmunicated t prducers, agents and advisrs. e) Entry requirements fr animals mving int the grup are set and fllwed f) Prvisin f health status infrmatin is required fr all stck mving int, and recmmended fr stck mving ut f, the CBP; e.g. Cattle Health Declaratin. g) Develp a frmal industry-gvernment partnership t prvide the recgnitin necessary fr industry t successfully implement and manage the CBP. h) Active surveillance 1 apprpriate t the disease(s) f cncern is undertaken t detect disease early. Active surveillance may be a mandatry element fr grups wishing t use their status fr a trading/marketing advantage, such as fr Jhne s disease. 1 A planned surveillance prgram based n n-farm r abattir screening

3 i) Technical assistance 2 is available fr all herds r flcks that are suspected r infected with disease. j) Cntrl r eradicatin prgrams (as apprpriate) are implemented n infected prperties. k) Tracing f high risk mvements backward and frward and high risk neighburs (if apprpriate). l) Cmpliance is verified and perfrmance is reprted at an agreed frequency. 2 May be prvided by gvernment r private veterinarians r ther suitably qualified persn(s)

4 IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COOPERATIVE BIOSECURITY PLAN FRAMEWORK AND CHECKLIST NOTE: Belw are sme examples f hw the CBP framewrk and checklists may lk. These are examples nly and have been develped t assist ptential grups f prducers understand hw the criteria may be met. STEP 1. FORMATION OF THE GROUP Cperative bisecurity grups will be an aggregatin f prducers frm a defined gegraphical regin r a defined grup f prducers with cmmn interests and prductin systems wh are all cmmitted t wrking tgether t prevent and respnd t an incursin f specified disease(s). The grup may be initiated by several enthusiastic farmers, farm advisrs/vets frm a lcal area r members f a trading grup with cmmn gals (fr example a grup breeding scheme r breed sciety wh have a cmmn desire t reduce r maintain the level f disease in their area r grup). Alternatively, the grup may already be established and culd include existing grwer grups. Supprt frm ptential members f the grup shuld be demnstrated (fr example thrugh a survey r pll, r prducers have t sign up t be a part f the CBP). The grup shuld nminate a crdinatr r a chairpersn and shuld name the grup. STEP 2. ACCOUNTABILITY/RESPONSIBILITY The grup shuld determine respnsibilities fr each member f the grup and identify the activities required t develp and maintain a CBP. Example respnsibilities f prducers may include: Implement prperty bisecurity plans that are cnsistent with the CBP Cmply with the CBP requirements Maintain recrds f any stck mvements Meet the annual audit requirements (if required) Regularly mnitr their stck fr signs f disease If infectin is suspected r cnfirmed, develp a Prperty Disease Management Plan and carry ut management practices under the Prperty Disease Management Plan, cvering csts f management practices as required.

5 Essential elements a) Demnstrable prducer cmmitment frm all prducers within the cperative bisecurity grup t prtect the disease status f the regin r grup, including agreed aims and bjectives f the grup and disease(s) cvered by the CBP. OBJECTIVE: Prducers within the cperative bisecurity grup are able t demnstrate that they are cmmitted t prtecting and maintaining the disease status f the regin r grup. The grup needs t decide n the fllwing principles and recrd these: Discuss and agree n the expectatins f the grup Identify specific diseases r cnditins f cncern t the grup Agree n the disease(s) that will be included in the CBP Determine and agree n the aims and bjectives fr the specified disease(s) in the CBP, fr: - the cperative bisecurity grup as a whle; and - at the individual prperty level f each prperty within the CBP Determine the rles and respnsibilities f each member f the grup fr: - their invlvement with the grup; and - what they will d n their prperty t meet the criteria f the bisecurity plan. Identify resurces available t the grup, including means f prmting and maintaining awareness f the CBP and surces f cnsistent technical advice Outline clear strategies fr prtecting the grup frm incursin and respnding t suspect and cnfirmed infectin with diseases f cncern and include a prcess fr prtectin against high risk neighburs. Develp a set f clear business/perating rules fr the grup that aim t reduce the risk f persnal cnflict within the grup (review these at least annually) A cpy f the CBP (and business rules) shuld be distributed t all members f the grup b) All members f the CBP have a prperty bisecurity plan in place OBJECTIVE: CBPs are underpinned by the implementatin f prperty bisecurity plans by all members f the grup. The Natinal Farm Bisecurity Reference Manual fr Grazing Livestck Prductin is available at It is a reference dcument fr use in develping a prperty livestck bisecurity plan. Each prductin system culd have a different range f bisecurity threats, challenges and perating envirnments, which must be addressed with relevant appraches based n the principles identified in the manual r with advice frm qualified advisrs.

6 Prperty bisecurity plans shuld be cnsistent with the agreed strategies and rules f the CBP, and include measures t prevent intrductin f relevant diseases and t limit spread and clinical impact f diseases shuld they ccur. Fr relevant diseases, plans must cmply with acts and regulatins within the relevant jurisdictin(s). Optinal elements c) Regular mnitring f stck and suspect cases are investigated and reprted. OBJECTIVE: Any suspect case is investigated by a nminated technical advisr (see pint i, belw) In cnsultatin with the nminated technical advisr, develp a plicy t reslve cases f suspicin, depending n the specific disease Any suspect case is investigated by the nminated technical advisr as sn as pssible The grup s strategy fr dealing with suspect and cnfirmed infectin shuld be implemented This prcess shuld include a risk assessment and may include a range f strategies d) Technical infrmatin and peratinal aspects f the CBP are actively cmmunicated t prducers, agents and advisrs. OBJECTIVE: Technical infrmatin and peratinal aspects f the CBP are actively cmmunicated t prducers, agents and advisrs. The grup shuld identify the key aspects f the plan that need t be cmmunicated and hw they will achieve the cmmunicatin gals t ensure prducers are aware f the requirements. The grup shuld cnsider whether signs int the area r at ther strategic lcatins such as entrances t prperties, are required. The grup shuld als determine pprtunities fr the area that may prvide trading advantages fr them. All prperty wners in the grup shuld be prvided with a cpy f the CBP and business rules e) Entry requirements fr stck mving int the grup are set and fllwed. OBJECTIVE: Minimum entry standards develped in line with the level f risk that is acceptable t the grup are in place.

7 The entry requirements fr stck will be determined by the grup and shuld cnsider the level f risk that is acceptable t the grup. Intrductins f stck f a higher standard than the minimum entry requirements are encuraged. In rder t trade int anther state/regin with a CBP, it is the grup s respnsibility t ensure that their CBP satisfies the standards f the state/regin/grup that yu are trading int, this includes entry requirements. Cnversely, t allw stck frm anther state/regin/grup with a CBP t trade int yur area, it is the grup s respnsibility t ensure that their CBP satisfies yur grup s standards. f) Prvisin f health status infrmatin is required fr all stck mving int, and recmmended fr stck mving ut f, the CBP; e.g. Cattle Health Declaratin. OBJECTIVE: Agreement and mechanism t prvide relevant health status infrmatin as needed by the buyer fr all mvements int and within the grup. All livestck mvements int and within the grup cvered by the CBP must be accmpanied by a Natinal Vendr Declaratin (NVD) and a Health Statement fr the relevant species. These dcuments shuld be retained fr at least five years. Always prvide a Health Statement when selling animals (exceptins may be applied fr stck sld fr slaughter r within the CBG). Ensure that recrds are maintained. g) Develp a frmal cperative industry-gvernment partnership t prvide the recgnitin necessary fr industry t successfully implement and manage the CBP. OBJECTIVE: A frmal cperative bisecurity grup (ideally with input frm industry and gvernment) is established and a CBP is written. Fllwing agreement n a) abve: Wrk ut wh needs t be invlved in the grup and what resurces are required Develp a written CBP (with input frm all stakehlders) and distribute t all members f the grup Cllabrate with reginal, state and natinal industry bdies and gvernments t achieve recgnitin and supprt fr cperative bisecurity activities and utcmes. If tracing backward and frward is a preferred strategy (see under (g) abve), establish grup/gvernment guidelines n hw this is t be dne

8 h) Active surveillance 3 apprpriate t the disease(s) f cncern is undertaken t detect disease early. Active surveillance may be a mandatry element fr grups wishing t use their status fr a trading/marketing advantage, such as fr Jhne s disease. OBJECTIVE: Surveillance is undertaken by all members f the grup t maintain the grup status and t ensure early detectin. The grup, in cnsultatin with their technical advisr(s), determines apprpriate surveillance and mnitring strategies fr each f the diseases f cncern, including methds, frequency and reprting/dcumentatin requirements. Surveillance and mnitring may be by n-farm screening, r by use f abattir mnitring, depending n the disease and the agreed apprach. All members f the grup implement the agreed surveillance/mnitring activities and reprt utcmes as agreed in the CBP psitive detectins f disease are dealt with as agreed in the plan i) Technical assistance 4 is available fr all herds r flcks that are suspected r infected with disease. OBJECTIVE: Technical assistance is available and is prvided t herds r flcks that are knwn r suspected t be infected with any disease f cncern r is available fr ther herds and flcks as required. Nminate ne r mre veterinary advisr(s) (either gvernment r private practitiners) wh are familiar with the grup s CBP and the epidemilgy f the disease(s) being cvered. Example respnsibilities f the technical advisrs culd include: Understand the CBP aims, bjectives and requirements Cmply with the relevant acts and regulatins Prvide advice and assistance fr the develpment f bisecurity plans Prvide advice, t help prducers develp their understanding f the disease(s), the risks invlved, its management and cntrl Assist with implementatin f agreed surveillance and mnitring activities, as apprpriate Assist with the investigatin and testing f any suspect herds r flcks Cnduct risk assessments with individual prducers as required Carry ut testing n high risk intrductins and, with agreement, high risk neighburing herds r flcks 3 A planned surveillance prgram based n n-farm r abattir screening 4 May be prvided by gvernment r private veterinarians r ther suitably qualified persn(s)

9 Assist t undertake tracing backward and frward f animal mvements if required. (This wuld mst efficiently be dne by tracing mvements thrugh the NLIS database, which is a gvernment rle.) Reprt t the grup as required. j) Cntrl r eradicatin prgrams (as apprpriate) are implemented n infected prperties. OBJECTIVE: Effective cntrl/eradicatin prgrams are implemented n infected prperties as sn as the disease is suspected r cnfirmed. In cnsultatin with the nminated technical advisr, develp a strategy fr dealing with suspect and infected herds r flcks. The strategy fr dealing with cnfirmed infectin shuld be implemented whenever an infected herd r flck is detected. Immediate neighburs f the infected prperty shuld be ntified f the cnfirmed infectin and all individual prducers f the cperative bisecurity grup shuld ensure that their bisecurity prcedures are implemented. Fr example, bundary fences shuld be checked t ensure that stck cannt stray nt neighburing prperties. k) Tracing f high risk mvements backward and frward and high risk neighburs (if apprpriate). OBJECTIVE: High risk mvements backward and frward (including straying r envirnmental spread between neighburs) are traced t determine whether the infectin has spread and minimise the ptential fr spread. Owners f infected herds r flcks are encuraged t ntify wners f herds r flcks frm which they have intrduced cnfirmed-infected animals r t which they have sld high-risk animals Request gvernment assistance in tracing high risk mvements, bth backwards and frwards, using NLIS and the Health Statements. Use f NLIS data fr tracing is limited fr prducers: they can nly see the current PICs f their devices which are active. Cmprehensive tracing f devices t all prperties and translatin f PICs t real cntact details can nly be dne by gvernment advisrs. High risk mvements are identified and ntified t the receivers f thse mvements. High risk mvements t r within the grup are investigated further. Owners f high risk herds r flcks (depending n disease and level f risk) shuld ntify neighburing herds r flcks

10 Nte there will be a need t develp a frmal cperative industry-gvernment partnership if there is an intentin t request gvernment assistance fr tracing activities (see sectin (h) abve). l) Cmpliance is verified and perfrmance is reprted at an agreed frequency. OBJECTIVE: Cmpliance with the CBP shuld be mnitred r audited and perfrmance f the grup is reprted at an agreed frequency t the leader r chair f the grup fr the cnsequences t be evaluated and/r remedies t be implemented. The grup shuld be audited n a regular basis. Ideally, and subject t funding, the audit shuld be undertaken by an independent auditr f the grup s chice r by the department f primary industries. The frequency f auditing shuld reflect the level f rbustness expected by the grup. The auditr(s) shuld ensure the grup adequately meets the criteria set ut in the CBP. Outcmes f the audit including any crrective actins shuld be implemented as sn as pssible. The grup shuld meet t prepare fr the CBP audit and t review the CBP. The CBP shuld be assessed fr its level f supprt by the prducers, its effectiveness and its benefits and csts, bth past and future. The grup shuld cnsider release f the audit reprt t ther industry grups including ther CBP grups and the state CVO.